Despite fire union objections, a fire operations chief will be added to the Randolph Fire Department.

The Town Council unanimously approved the addition of the position at its meeting March 18.

Town Manager David Murphy said the Comprehensive Fire Study identified a lack of proper administration structure as a shortcoming of the Fire Department and recommended the department add the position. He said the study pointed out that Fire Chief Charles Foley handles the personnel matters, payroll, bills, performance review, apparatus maintenance planning, purchasing and all of the administration and oversight duties of the departments. The operations chief would take on some of these duties.

"We’ve seen the public schools in the absence of an assistant superintendent and it’s created challenges," Town Councilor Ken Clifton said. "We need to start looking at a structure that includes someone that could gain that experience."

Local 1268 President Patrick Connors said the firefighters union is not opposed to the position, but rather would prefer four new firefighters be added to the department.

Connors said more firefighters would allow the department to have a frontline for ambulance calls, adding that the department goes on about 9,000 annually - including 4,000 ambulance runs - more than most departments of its size. He acknowledged that the fire study recommended the position, but the study states the needs of the community come first.

Connors said he was disappointed with the council’s decision.

"We think manpower is the better way to go about it. Hopefully, we can work with the town but clearly staffing is a major factor," he said.

Murphy said he understands Connors' goal of wanting to add firefighters and beef up staffing levels, which is why he hired four new firefighters last July and plans on hiring two more this summer.

Connors said he is aware the town plans to hire two firefighters the next fiscal year and the following, but added there is still a potential to be one position shy due to a retirement and if an internal candidate is chosen for the fire operations chief. He also said the fire chief employs a captain and lieutenant in the Fire Prevention office to assist him as well as a clerk/administrative assistant.